The SleepTight Campaign

A five year study done by the Chesapeake Health Department indicates that Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is one of the leading causes for infant mortality in the area. A large number of these deaths are due to positional asphyxia- a type of suffocation caused by body positions that restrict airflow and a fatal condition often caused by unsafe sleeping environments.
The sleep tight campaign will allow any low-income Chesapeake parent access to a safe-sleeping educational program and a Pack n play crib AT NO COST. This is presented by CHIP/Healthy Families of Chesapeake. For more information or to request a speaker for your organization, please call (757) 543-9100 or stop by our office at 1302 Jefferson Street in Chesapeake.

Asthma 101: The Basics Training

This is an open and free training offered by CINCH. Upon completion of the course, the learner should be able to : identify the incidence of asthma, identify potential triggers, identify effects of asthma on the lungs, identify symptoms of acute asthma episodes, differentiate between "rescue" and "controller" medications used in asthma management and state the importance of peak flow monitoring and asthma action plans. The training will be on Thursday, October 23 from 9:30 am - 11:30 am at EV Williams Hall. Registration is required at cinch@evms.edu .

Building Members, Building Leaders Conference

Our 2nd Annual CINCH conference will be held on Friday, October 24th from 11:00 am to 3:45 pm at Virginia Sports Hall of Fame in Portsmouth. Registration is required. Contact mcmanala@evms.edu for registration .This is going to be a fabulous conference that will offer training on coalitions and improving child health through collaboration: Some highlights will include:

• Understanding Child Health Inequities and Social Justice, featuring Keynote Speaker: Dr. Michael Royster, MD, MPH, Director of Minority Health & Public Health Policy, VDH.
• Child Health Inequities in Hampton Roads: What the data says.
• Root Cause Analysis for Real People: What is it? How does it work?
• Viewing the documentary "Unnatural Causes: In Sickness and In Wealth" and "Place Matters". http://www.unnaturalcauses.org/
• Members apply Root Cause Analysis in Hampton Roads.
• CINCH in Action: Uncovering Root Causes of child health
  inequality.

CINCH workgroup featured in WCTY TV 48

Jan Callahan from the local Norfolk Human Services Forum did an interview about the Children with special health care needs Emergency Preparedness toolkit that the group developed.
Here are some of the main themes of the kit and what it helps parents to do:
1. Have an emergency plan for your child - especially those with special needs 2. Think ahead about important steps that your family needs to take to be prepared 3. Understand different types of emergencies which may require different plans.
Each theme has tips and strategies for parents that the speakers can address - such as medications, special equipment, how to prepare for possible separations, what to tell children who may be afraid, etc, etc. To view this interview please go to http://www.norfolk.gov/tv48/hs_forum.asp

CINCH and PIV receive Awards

CINCH and Project Immunize Virginia received outstanding achievement awards from Sanofi Pasteur for its strong commitment to ensuring protection through immunizations in Virginia. Steve Pearce and Bill Hagan both from Sanofi Pasteur presented CINCH director Amy Paulson and Assistant Director Taegen McGowan with the award in October.

The Happiest Baby on the Block”

You are invited to join the CHKD/EVMS Department of Pediatrics at Grand Rounds for an informative session on soothing techniques for babies. This information may be useful to local community child health advocates as they work with new parents. No RSVP is required.
Harvey N. Karp, MD, FAAP
Assistant Professor UCLA

October 23, 2008, 8 am – 9 am
Brickhouse Auditorium, Sentara Norfolk General Hospital

October is SIDS awareness month

Using a fan to circulate air seemed to lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome in a study of nearly 500 babies, researchers reported Monday. Placing babies on their backs to sleep is the best advice for preventing SIDS, a still mysterious cause of death.
Experts also recommend a firm mattress, removing toys and pillows from cribs, and keeping infants from getting too warm.

A new study found that using a fan to circulate air while a baby sleeps can help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. "This seems to suggest that by improving room ventilation we can further reduce risk," said the study's author. "The baby's sleeping environment really matters," said study senior author Dr. De-Kun Li of the Kaiser Permanente Division of Research in Oakland, Calif. "This seems to suggest that by improving room ventilation we can further reduce risk."

Free Health Screenings

At Main Street Physicians in Suffolk, 157 N. Main Street. When: Saturday, October 25 9:00 am - 12:00 pm. Free Health Screenings for Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Dental, Well Women Exam, Prostate Blood test. To register please call Lateef Khursheed at 925-1866 ext. 326. For accurate results, please do no eat breakfast. Food will be provided.

Human Services Forum with Jan Callaghan – October 2008

Disaster planning for special needs children & NPD explains the importance of knowing what your 11-15 year old child is doing on the internet
http://wmstreaming.whro.org/norfolk/HSF0924081.asf

Another Norfolk breakthrough on the homeless front & the Sheriff’s office discusses child abduction prevention
http://wmstreaming.whro.org/norfolk/HSF0924082.asf

Stop Crying & tantrums in minutes... or less.

Learn how at a free seminar with Dr. Harvey Karp, who will share his breakthrough discoveries in helping parents calm infants and toddlers. When: Tuesday, October 21 at 7:oopm at the Marriott in Newport News and also Wednesday, October 22 at 7:00 pm at the The Westin at the Virginia Beach town center. RSVP is required. Call (757) 889-BABY or www.bshr.com .

Building Members, Building Leaders conference

CINCH 2nd Annual membership conference will be held on Friday, October 24th from 11:00 am to 3:30 pm. The location will be announced soon.

Child Health Day - October 6, 2008

Please join us in celebrating Child Health Day!

Click here for more information or to download materials for your organization to use to promote the day or hold an event